Gradually, the presidential primaries of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) are drawing near, and all the aspirants have put on their shoes to intensify efforts to win the hearts of the NPP delegates, seeking their mandate to lead the party and wrestle power from the NDC in the 2028 general elections. In politics, no aspirant will praise their opponents during a campaign tour. Therefore, delegates must not be swayed by the unfounded allegations that aspirants level against one another. The choices we make today will determine the future, making it imperative to make the right decision at this crucial moment.

The NPP must be thankful to God for giving us a candidate of the calibre of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia—a man who is gentle, respectful, honest, kind, tolerant, loving, obedient, humble, and, most importantly, not egoistic. He is a man with a divine mission, and it would be disastrous for NPP delegates to change him this time, especially when many Ghanaians have realized that the NDC misled them with their “resetting” and “24-hour economy” agenda, which turned out to be mere political talk.

In the first instance, we must appreciate Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia (Peacemaker), whose bold decision to concede defeat before the Electoral Commission’s declaration saved the nation from potential unrest. He is a true democrat, a visionary, and someone capable of creating opportunities out of nothing. He is a man with fresh ideas—the very qualities the NPP needs in these modern times. The man who sacrificed his life and everything to defend the party at the Supreme Court during the 2012 election petition is offering himself for another chance to lead the NPP back to power in 2028.

It is baffling that some pastors, aspirants, and their supporters claim that the NPP lost the last election because of Dr. Bawumia’s candidature, citing religious reasons, saying Christians would not want a Muslim to lead them.

It is worth noting that these same Christian religious institutions have invited him to their programs, and when he provides support, they accept it willingly. Voter apathy is common when a party has been in power for eight years, and it is unfair to blame Dr. Bawumia alone for the party’s loss without considering historical trends in Ghanaian elections. God expects us all, regardless of religion or ethnicity, to see ourselves as one people with a common destiny. We are all descendants of Abraham, and we must vote based on competence, not religious or tribal considerations.

It is disheartening to see people within the NPP who once praised him on radio and television for his commitment, dedication, hard work, vision, and policy contributions now discredit him, claiming he caused economic challenges. Critics point to his inability to “arrest the dollar,” forgetting the economic shocks caused by the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and the Russia–Ukraine war. They overlook the fact that he was neither the Finance Minister nor the Finance Committee Chair and could only advise the President. Did these critics see him addressing Parliament on the budget or speaking on the state of the nation?

Last year, for example, when His Excellency John Dramani Mahama addressed Harvard University students at the 24th African Business Conference, he attributed Ghana’s economic hardships to COVID-19 and the Russia–Ukraine war. Despite these challenges, Dr. Bawumia and his team implemented impactful policies and projects such as:

Zipline Drones

Agenda 111 hospitals

Sinohydro Barter Agreement

Zongo Development Fund

Gold-for-Oil policy

One ambulance per constituency program

Ghana Card System and a system to tackle ghost names on the government payroll

Abolishing embarkation and disembarkation cards at airports

These initiatives are visible and functioning effectively. The NPP cannot afford to lose such an intelligent and visionary leader, whose integrity in politics is unparalleled.

Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has never been involved in corruption or foul play. He has maintained an impeccable and transparent character, which earned him high-level positions under the J.A. Kufuor and Nana Akufo-Addo administrations. NPP delegates must support a man who absorbs insults and false allegations without reacting publicly—a man of principle. God has blessed him, and when one has a mission to fulfill for God’s purpose, it cannot be hidden. He deserves another chance, just as former leaders John Agyekum Kufuor and Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo did. Since Ghana became a democratic state, no first-time candidate has ever won the presidential elections.

I strongly believe that maintaining Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia as the NPP candidate will be the best decision to enhance the party’s chances of reclaiming power in 2028. The NDC will present a new candidate, but Dr. Bawumia’s competence and leadership will challenge them. It is laughable for the NDC to claim he will be an easy opponent. NPP delegates are discerning; they do not need a soothsayer to recognize that Dr. Bawumia is the best choice for 2028. His candidacy will give the NDC sleepless nights, forcing them to focus on forex stabilization while neglecting other responsibilities.

My passionate appeal to all NPP delegates: vote massively for Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and aim for over 70 percent support in the upcoming presidential primaries. With unity and focus, it is still possible to break down the NDC’s propaganda machinery and reclaim government in 2028.